On Simchas Torah, we conclude our annual journey through Chumash with the reading of V’zos Ha’bracha. The end of Sefer Devarim and the finale of the Chamisha Chumshei Torah speaks of final blessings, parting words and poetic prophecies. And the finality of death. In the...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Haazinu, begins as Moshe calls upon the heavens and earth to bear witness, and to hear, the words that he will say to the Bnei Yisrael. הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם, וַאֲדַבֵּרָה; וְתִשְׁמַע הָאָרֶץ, אִמְרֵי-פִי - Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayelech, the Torah informs us of Hester Panim, the Concealment of the Divine Face, when Hashem hides His face (keviyachol) from His world and, specifically, from His people. The pasukim (Devarim 31:17-18) tell us: וְחָרָה אַפִּי בוֹ בַיּוֹם-הַהוּא וַעֲזַבְתִּים וְהִסְתַּרְתִּי פָנַי...
In this week’s moving, emotional and poetic parsha, Parshas Nitzavim - the final parsha of 5781 - Moshe Rabbeinu urges the nation to cling to a life of Torah and mitzvos. In one of the most stirring and powerful passages in the Torah, Moshe encourages...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Ki Savo, opens with the mitzvah of Bikkurim: The first fruits of the Shivat Ha’Minin (see Devarim 8:8), which are brought by the farmer up to the Beis Ha’Mikdash in Yerushalayim (Devarim 26:1-11). Upon bringing up his fruits, the landowner recites...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Ki Seitzei, commands us regarding many mitzvos. According to the Sefer HaChinuch, the parsha delineates a total of seventy-four mitzvos; twenty-seven mitzvos asei and forty-seven mitzvos lo ta’aseh. Two important mitzvos - which are recorded one after another - concern neggah...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shoftim, the Torah warns us against foreign and idolatrous worship. The pasuk says: וְלֹא-תָקִים לְךָ מַצֵּבָה, אֲשֶׁר שָׂנֵא ה’ אֱלֹקִיךָ - And you shall not erect for yourself a pillar, which Hashem, your G-d, hates (Devarim 16:22). Rashi teaches: ולא תקים לך...
In the beginning of this week’s parsha, Parshas Re’eh, Moshe says to the Bnei Yisrael: רְאֵה, אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן לִפְנֵיכֶם--הַיּוֹם בְּרָכָה וּקְלָלָה - See, I am setting before you, on this day, blessings and curses (Devarim 11:26). While there are shivim panim la’Torah and many interpretations of...
In this week’s poetically stirring and masterful parsha, as transmitted to us by Moshe Rabbeinu, we have the well-known mitzvah of birkat ha’mazon, grace after meals (“bentching” after a bread meal). The Torah tells us: וְאָכַלְתָּ, וְשָׂבָעְתָּ--וּבֵרַכְתָּ אֶת-ה’ אֱלֹקיךָ, עַל-הָאָרֶץ הַטֹּבָה אֲשֶׁר נָתַן-לָךְ - and...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas V’Eschanan, Moshe exhorts the Bnei Yisrael to go in the ways of Hashem and Torah, and the pasuk tells us: וְאַתֶּם, הַדְּבֵקִים, בַּה’ אֱלֹקִיכֶם חַיִּים כֻּלְּכֶם, הַיּוֹם, you who cleave unto your G-d, you are all alive today (Devarim 4:4)....